I May Have Been Converted or Not ..

As this will be my first review since moving my blog, I thought I'd do several reviews on five products that I have been testing out for the past few months. I was quite the brand loyal girl but don't get me wrong I am still a die-hard MAC fan with a few conversions.
In search of a tinted moisturiser and a new mineral powder, I researched online and also through word of mouth I stumbled across Laura Mercier. And of course, it was right across from the fragrance counter in Myer.
After paying a visit to my beloved neighbouring counter I went home with their 'Foundation Primer - Oil Free', 'Oil-free tinted moisturiser', 'finishing powder' and also the 'Mineral powder'. I never seem to have trouble in walking out with more than what I needed. Oh I also got a 6-piece gift and also their 'Face Polish' as a gift which was a bonus. I love freebies!

Face Polish

I absolutely love this product. It gently buffs away dead skin unlike other exfoliators I've tried, such as Clinique's 'Exfoliating Scrub' which can be grainy, rough and drying. Its gentle yet my skin feels instantly smoother and appears visibly brighter and it does feel like my skin is 'polished'. Not drying at all. And the pleasant scent helps as well. It is definitely now one of my staple skin care products and I am certain I will buy it time and time again. I use it every two or three nights after removing my makeup.

4.5 out of 5

Foundation Primer

I've tried several different primers before and this one isn't my favourite, but it is good. I do like the ease in application and I can use either a brush or just my fingertips. It also feels very hydrating, however due my combination skin it does not provide enough oil control to my t-zone unlike the 'MAC Prep + Prime Face' and I do end up looking shiny after 4-6 hrs. The dewy look does benefit as it help blend in my blemishes and large pores. This is a good primer for when I'm on-the-go but for other purposes especially for special occassions that involve happy snap moments the 'MAC Prep+Prime' is definitely my favourite for that perfect camera finish as it has silicone that give light reflecting properties without that white flashback look and its more affordable as well. I wish I could just apply it with my fingertips.
I've also started trying out Smashbox's 'Photofinish Colour Correcting Primer' I will update my thoughts on it later.

3 out of 5

Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20

This is the first department store tinted-moisturizer I have bought and tried. To my surprise the coverage was great for what I would expect out of a tinted moisturizer. Its lightweight and provide enough coverage to sheerly correct my skintone and with a little concealer on my harder-to-cover blemishes VOILA! and I'm ready to go. It works great under my mineral powder as well giving me that extra coverage I need without being too heavy or cakey. My skin does feel hydrated throughout the day and I can also use a brush or just my fingertips to apply. The SPF also means that I don't need to apply an extra layer of sunscreen on an average day - time saving !

3.5 out of 5

Mineral Powder SPF 15

By far this is my best mineral foundation match. I've tried Revlon, I.D. Bare Minerals and MAC and Laura Mercier's 'Mineral Powder SPF 15' provides the best natural finish. Revlon's 'Colourstay Mineral Powder' made me break out and dried out my skin. I think its due to the talc which can be pore clogging. I.D. Bare Minerals did not have a shade that blended well into my skin making me look either too yellow or too pink-toned. I also found the mica too glittery. MAC's 'Mineralize SPF 15 Loose Foundation' was either too dark or too light on my skin and the packaging made it hard to use. Laura Mercier gives me a natural glow which I absolutely adore and it doesn't feel like its drying out my skin. The packaging is great as well as there is a rotating cover for the powder which makes it travel friendly. I use over my tinted moisturizer or even sweep it over my liquid foundation for a bit of extra coverage and glow.

4.5 out of 5

Translucent Setting Powder

Not one of the best setting powders I've tried in regards to shine control, MAC's 'Blotting Powder' definitely has my vote for that. But it does work well as it does help my makeup stay fixed all day and has waterproofing benefits (tear and rain proof - as funny as that sounds). It very lightweight, does not add any extra colour and seems to having this blurring effect on application. I do find myself needing to powder my oily t-zone within 4 hrs.

3 out of 5

My daily face base now consists of the Laura Mercier's primer, tinted moisturizer, mineral powder and setting powder (if needed) and MAC's 'Select Cover-up Concealer' - That's less than 5 mins !

All pictures are from Laura Mercier - for more detail on ingredients and product details.